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I am sorry to disapoint everyone who opens this and is looking for a list of things they didn't know.
I got an Idea as I was reading the manual to my dad's new HUMMER. What are some things that most people do not know about their MINI? Intersting little bits of information, odd facts, interesting tricks....LIST EVERYTHING YOU KNOW THAT YOU THINK SOMEONE ELSE MIGHT NOT!!!!
The key recharges its transmitter when it's in the ignition switch on 05 and newer.
The UNLOCK button when held in will roll down all the windows and open the sunroof unless it has been de-activated.
The glovebox is refrigerated.
When you initially turn on the headlights, they'll be on low beam regardless of how they were when last turned off. The foglights are likewise off.
The controls on the automatic A/C are shaped like the MINI wings.
The annoying self-locking doors can be de-activated.
Daytime running lights can be programmed on or off per the owner's wishes.
When you activate the defroster, the rear defroster comes on as well.
There is a "pull ring" tucked under the rear seat to open the boot if there is an electrical failure.
There is a little toolkit included with the MINI.
There is a little tool to manually close the sunroof in case of an electrical failure.
The interior lights (or any other accessory) switches off after 15 minutes with the key off to prevent killing the battery.
The brake lights don't work without the key in the ignition.
The radio may turn off when you turn the key off, but you can turn it right back on without the key in the ignition.
The rear parcel shelf is designed to rest right behind the front seats upside down when it is removed from it's normal place.
There is an emergency release for the fuel door in the portside storage cubby hole in the boot.
All wipers can be lifted off the windshields, and they'll stay in the up position to keep them from freezing to the glass.
If parked with auto wipers ON, they'll be OFF when you start the car the next time. You must turn them off then back on to use them. (In case the wipers freeze to the glass)
Are these the types of odd facts you were looking for?
That rear parcel shelf tip is life-altering...no longer will it risk getting crushed by all the cargo when I leave it in the bottom of the boot and load up. What a clever design!
That rear parcel shelf tip is life-altering...no longer will it risk getting crushed by all the cargo when I leave it in the bottom of the boot and load up. What a clever design!
Uh, can someone clearly explain this or post a pic or two showing how this is properly done? I tried it and it seems that one seat has to be all the way back to hold the shelf into place, and that it just seems loose. Right now I have it situated with curved center section down on console, with rear seat headrests tucked into shelf. Thanks Jimbo
I just discovered that when the rear seats are folded down a very useful and protective storage space is created between the seat bottom and the now folded down back. There's a little hollow in there thanks to the concavity of the seat bottom. Its also fully padded and closed off so things don't go flying around during hard turns. Perfect for small, fragile items. I've taken to stashing my digital camera back there for safe keeping.
Uh, can someone clearly explain this or post a pic or two showing how this is properly done? I tried it and it seems that one seat has to be all the way back to hold the shelf into place, and that it just seems loose. Right now I have it situated with curved center section down on console, with rear seat headrests tucked into shelf. Thanks Jimbo
Just got this to work for me on an ‘06 car, here goes: The top surface of the parcel shelf (the normally visible surface) faces towards the front of the car. The circular cut-out on the parcel shelf (for rear wiper motor) sits on the hump. If situated correctly, four points of contact will hold the parcel shelf level, off the rear floor, and snugly in place, all without touching the front seats... they are: 1) the hump, 2) the rear cup holder, 3) the left & 4) the right rear seat headrests (with the seat folded, of course).
I just have to repeat one I mentioned earlier....
The easiest way to get out of the rear seat is going butt first, effectively reversing how you get it. It is completely counter-intuitive, so I doubt many have tried it. It is much, much easier on the knees, and you don’t even have to have the door open much (ie, great for tight parking spots). (Hmmmm...... wonder which method will look better for the ladies wearing mini skirts )
Just got this to work for me on an ‘06 car, here goes: The top surface of the parcel shelf (the normally visible surface) faces towards the front of the car. The circular cut-out on the parcel shelf (for rear wiper motor) sits on the hump. If situated correctly, four points of contact will hold the parcel shelf level, off the rear floor, and snugly in place, all without touching the front seats... they are: 1) the hump, 2) the rear cup holder, 3) the left & 4) the right rear seat headrests (with the seat folded, of course).
You must not have the arm rest. With my 05 MC, the arm rest requires you to turn the parcel shelf around. See photos below for procedure (you can click on the photos for a larger version to see detail):
Step one: Open the hatch.
Step Two: Detach the parcel shelf support strings.
Step Three: Remove the parcel shelf and lower the back seats (if you have no need to lower the back seats, it works the same.)
Step Four: Open driver (or passenger) door and put driver (or passenger) seat into rear entry/exit position.
Step Five: Place parcel shelf backwards and upside down behind arm rest as shown in picture below.
Parcel shelf should be stable in this position, as show in the picture below:
Parcel shelf is now at the same level as the seats in the down position so it should not be damaged if heavy items are placed above it, as shown in the picture below:
Yes, I have no arm rest.... if I face it as you did, there's nothing to hold it in position and it will fall over on the first corner, or first use of brakes. If I face the top surface of the shelf forward, it wedges nicely between the cup holder and folded rear seat head rests.
Pretty cool that it works both ways (w/ and w/o arm rest).... no way they actually designed it that way.... has to be a coincidence .
You can counter rotate the rear view mirrors so that the mirror faces the ground....a nice feature to rid the mirror housing of water when washing to prevent it from blowing all over the side of the car after laborously drying what you thought was every last drop of water from your MINI!
You can counter rotate the rear view mirrors so that the mirror faces the ground....a nice feature to rid the mirror housing of water when washing to prevent it from blowing all over the side of the car after laborously drying what you thought was every last drop of water from your MINI!
Can someone elaborate on this? I went outside and tried to turn the mirror, I can sorta see how it works, but I'm afraid to break something
__________________ 07 MCC / LiB / Premium / Grey Leatherette / Black Bonnet Stripes / Chrome Line Exterior
Ordered : May 6, 2007 --- Received : June 9, 2007
The brake lights don't work without the key in the ignition????? That's a problem!
And why, praytell, is this a problem? If your key is not in the ignition you should be parked and safely out of the way of any traffic - in the event of an emergency, use your flashers.
Sexiest Car Ever Built
E (short for Emily)
TESLA
Wicked Wanda
Oooh....I didn't know this one....very cool! 
If you can't fix it ...... feature it!
I tried it and it seems that one seat has to be all the way back to hold the shelf into place, and that it just seems loose. Right now I have it situated with curved center section down on console, with rear seat headrests tucked into shelf. Thanks Jimbo
07 MCC / LiB / Premium / Grey Leatherette / Black Bonnet Stripes / Chrome Line Exterior
MYST - 2007 MCS, Lightning Blue (all blue, no stripes), Cold Weather, Premium, Sport, Conveninece, Rear Fog, LSD, 6 spd., Cloth/Leather w/ Pacific Blue Colorline, Navigation, Stereo Upgrade.
Hybrid Mode
